gave the address of welcome and sketched the history of the Mattachine Society from its ino eption seven years ago as informal discussion groups to its present democratio structure. He told of its purposes and some of its accomplishments; of the monthly Mattachine Review, of the brochure, "Your Legal Rights", of the Society making itself available to professional groups studying homosexuality rather than attempting to carry on any original research of its own. He stated that the future of the Society would depend on how much the members fulfilled the principle of the four "F8" Faith, Fellowship, Friendship and Funds. Funds, he pointed out, were more than just money, but also ti me and energy. Also, that those who said they could not afford $10 a year dues could afford $100 a ye ar if they really wanted to if not out of their own pockets, then by raising it in some other manner.
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The main morning address was given by Kenneth Zwerin, San Francisco attorney-at-law, whose controversial topic was "After Arrest What?"
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He told Don Lucas he
"Your Legal Rights"
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could throw away that brochure on that for all practical purposes it
wasn't going to mean much to the average homosexual who is arrested that few people, otherwise law-abiding, could adjust to the traumatic situation of arrest in time not to say or do those things that make it next to impossible for an attorney to help him, once he gets hold of the case.
Mr. Zwerin then proceeded to tell a hideous little story of a hypothetical but realistic case showing how theories of legal rights and privileges go out the window when shook, fear and ridicule step into the picture.
After arrest what? Ken Zwerin says, "Tragedy, perennial tragedy."
After all this, Mr. Zwerin ended his address on the optimistic note that the situation is becoming more favorable for sexual acts between two consenting adults as indicated by proje oted changes in the law in Britain.
The afternoon session consisted of a panel discussion